Transfer applying apparatus



Feb. 13, 1962 R. E. MERRlTT TRANSFER APPLYING APPARATUS Filed June 3, 1959 INVENTOR ROBERT E. MERR/TT' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 AGENTS Feb. 13, 1962 R. E. MERRITT 3,

TRANSFER APPLYING APPARATUS Filed June 5, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 2 9 ROBERT E. MERR/TT BY' WuA Q M 3,021,251 SFER APPLYENG APPARATUS Robert E. Merritt, Rte. 2, Box 262, Mount Airy, N.C. Filed June 3, 195% Ser. No. 817,932 Claims. (Ql. 156542) The present invention relates to transfer apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for the transfer of pertinent indicia or other information in a dry state to the surface of textile goods, such as, for example, hosiery.

The textile industry for many years has applied necessary information to the surface of a wide variety of textile goods. In general, such information has been applied to the fabric by means of a dry transfer operation. In such an operation in general, the necessary information is printed in a reverse or mirror image continuously in spaced relationship on paper tape, and is marketed in the form of a tape roll containing a great many individual, spaced transfers thereon. To transfer the pertinent information to the surface of the textile goods, the transfer is placed against the goods with the printed side in contact therewith. Heat is then applied to the unprinted side of the tape resulting in a softening of the transfer ink and an adhering of the design to the surface of the fabric thereby marking the goods in the desired manner.

By way of example, to place the desired information on hosiery, the transfer tape roll will carry a plurality of individual spaced transfers in which each will contain, for example, the size of the goods, the style and color of the goods, fiber identification and content thereof in the goods, trademark or other manufacturer or source identification, directions for use of the goods, and any other necessary information printed thereon. To apply the transfer to the hosiery, the transfer roll in general is mounted on a support above the work table and in front of the operator such that the tape may be freely unwound therefrom as needed. An electric or similarly heated stamping iron is provided for use at the work table. Hosiery is usually marked at points thereon which Will not be normally visible, such as, for example, the foot portion, in the case of mens, boys and childrens or girls ankle socks. With ladies full fashioned hosiery, the identification may be placed either on the welt portion or the foot portion of the hosiery. The hosiery to be marked is placed on the work table with the area thereof to be marked positioned in a fiat, laid out state on a fiat surface of the work table. The transfer tape is pulled down and a single transfer is placed in contact with the hosiery at the desired point, with the printed surface engaging the face of the hosiery. The operator places the heated iron against the unprinted surface of the tape opposite the transfer, for a period of time sufficient to soften the transfer ink, resulting in a transfer of the design to the surface of the hosiery. This operation is repeated continuously by the operator for each hose that is to be marked or identified.

The operation just described is the one that has been generally employed not only in the hosiery industry, but also in the textile industry in general. This procedure possesses several disadvantages since it is primarily a completely manual operation. For example, the production rate of the operators is dependent solely upon the speed, skill, and dexterity they possess in applying the transfers to the goods. However, even with the most skilled operators, the production rate is comparatively low thereby increasing the production cost of the goods. Moreover, such manual operation does not positively insure the uniform placement of the transfer design on the hosiery which detracts from the appearance of the goods. Further, in this type of operation there is no uniform application of the transfer design to the hosiery which results in many instances in an improper transferring of the design to the fabric.

rates Patent said snubbing means capable of being expanded to enable.

In an effort to eliminate the foregoing disadvantages, considerable money, time, and effort has been expended in developing transfer applying machines which will provide a high rate of production of finished goods as well as properly applying the transfer to the goods. In general, these prior developments have been devoted to providing an automatic or semi-automatic operation. For example, in one form of prior available transfer applying apparatus, the iron is automatically operated to transfer the design to the fabric. However, in this type of apparatus, the hosiery or similar article is placed manually on the work table and the tape carrying the transfer is manually fed and placed on the goods. In other form of prior development, the machine has endeavored to provide more automatic operation by utilizing a special perforated transfer tape which endeavors to provide an automatic indexing of the tape for application of the transfer carried thereby to the goods. The transfer tape of this type is expensive, thereby increasing production costs. Moreover, such perforated tapes do not positively insure the proper positioning of the transfer design to the fabric due to breakage of the tape perforations, and the like. In still another form of transfer applying apparatus, positioning of the transfer tape is detected by a sensitive electrical switch, which engagement with the printed surface of the transfer controls the positioning of the transfer design relative to the fabric. A machine of this character is quite complicated and constantly requires careful control and adjustment of a machine that has a high initial cost, which is susceptible to breakdowns and corresponding delay in production.

Therefore, a principal object in the elimination of the foregoing and related disadvantages is to provide a new and improved dry transfer apparatus for applying information carried by a transfer tape to the surface of textile goods.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and novel dry transfer apparatus for transferring pertinent information from transfer tape to hosiery.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of dry transfer apparatus for applying information from transfer tape to the surface of textile goods that is semi-automatic in operation.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of dry transfer applying apparatus that is cheap in initial cost, quite simple in design, and requires virtually no maintenance.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of dry transfer applying apparatus which materially increases the rate of production of finished textile v goods.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a dry transfer applying apparatus which insures the proper positioning of the transfer on the goods, as well as a positive transferring of the transfer design to the goods.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a dry transfer applying apparatus which does not require the services of a highly trained operator.

Other and additional objects of the present invention will become manifest from the ensuing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Broadly stated, the dry transfer applying apparatus for use in transferring information from indicia bearing tape and made in accordance with the present invention comprises tape supply roll means, tape snubbing means spaced from said roll means for receiving tape therethrough from the supply roll means, said snubbing means having an expandable passageway therethrough of a normal thickness less than the thickness of the printed portion of the tape,

the printed portion of the tape upon application of force thereto to be drawn therethrough, vertically movable heating means spaced from said snubbing means for engagement with the surface of te tape, means to actuate the vertical movement of said heating means, braking means engaging the tape after passing beyond said heating means, and tape take-up means for receiving the tape after use, said tape roll means, said heating means, and said braking means being correlated with one another such that a printing carried by said tape when in engagement with said snubber means will present the printed portion of the tape beneath the heating means when in its lowermost extended position.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the present invention then consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and the following description setting forth in detail certain means in the carrying out of the invention, such disclosed means illustrating, however, but one of various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

The present invention is illustrated, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation illustrating the operational movement of the essential elements of a transfer appyling apparatus made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a transfer applying apparatus made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the opposite side of the transfer applying apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary diagrammatic illustration of the actuation of the tape braking means employed in the transfer applying apparatus made in accordance with the present invention. 7

FIG. is a fragmentary diagrammatic illustration of the actuation of the tape take-up means employed in the transfer applying apparatus made in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, an illustrative embodiment of a dry transfer applying apparatus made in accordance with the present invention and generally designated by reference numeral 10 is shown. The transfer applying apparatus 10 is adapted to be mounted on a conven tional worktable or similar suitable support which will enable the operator to utilize the apparatus 10 while in a sitting or standing position.

The apparatus, in its illustrative embodiment, comprises a support plate 11 having a horizontal base portion 12 and a vertical side portion 13 secured adjacent to and along one side of the base portion 12, and extending upwardly therefrom at substantially right angles thereto. The support plate 11 is secured to the worktable adjacent the back thereof by means of bolts extending through the worktable W, or by any suitable means which will secure the support plate in a fixed or adjustable position, such as, for example, screws, spikes, or the like.

A stub shaft 14 is secured by any suitable means, such as, for example, welding or the like, to the vertical side portion 13 of the support plate 11, and extends inwardly therefrom at right angles thereto and above the base portion 12. The stub shaft 14 is positioned to the rear of the support plate 11 and serves as the mounting means for the transfer tape roll 15. The tape roll 15 is carried by the shaft 14 such that it is freely rotatable thereon to enable the transfer tape 16 having the transfer indicia 16a thereon to be easily withdrawn therefrom.

Tape snubbing means generally designated by the reference number 17 is secured to the vertical side portion 13 in transverse relationship thereto by any suitable means at a point spaced forwardly from the stub shaft 14. The tape snubbing means 17 will be positioned generally below the stub shaft 14 in order to receive the tape 16 passing therethrough from the tape roll 15. As illustrated, the tape snubbing means 17 comprise a first stub rod 18 secured to the vertical side portion 13 in transverse relationship thereto at a point forward from and slightly below the stub shaft 14. The first stub rod 18 preferably is square in cross-sectional contour, as shown, in order to present a downwardly inclined or slightly angled surface with respect to the vertical side portion 13, since it is to serve as a mounting rod for a resilient spring arm 19. Thus the first stub rod 18 may possess any circumferential contour accomplishing this result.

The spring arm 19 is in the form of a heavy gauge metal strip, which is flexible or resilient upon the application of pressure thereto. The spring arm 19 is secured at one end to the stub rod 13 by any suitable means, such as, for example, as illustrated, by use of screws 20. The spring arm 19 extends forwardly from the stub rod 18 in downwardly inclined relation thereto and in a direction away from the stub shaft 14, with the opposite end of the arm 19 terminating at a point above the base portion 12 of the support plate 11. The opposite end of the spring arm 19 is secured by means of screws 21 or like fastening means to an elongated float rod 22 which extends in substantially transverse relationship to the side portion 13 of the support 11 and lies in parallel relationship to but spaced from the base portion 12. The float rod 22 is free from engagement with the side portion 13 and is of a length greater than the width of the tape 16 such that when the tape passes thereunder, in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter, the float rod will provide sufficient coverage thereover. The under surface of the float rod 22 is round and quite smooth, providing a transversely extending edge for engagement with the printed portion of the tape in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter. The remaining portion of the float rod 22 may be contoured in cross section in any desired manner, such as, for example, circular. Alternatively, the float rod 22 may be a square rod so long as the under surface of the lower transversely extending side edges are provided with the desired edge.

A blocking base 23 that is substantially square in cross section and of a length substantially equal to the length of the float rod 22 is secured to the base portion 12 of the support member 11 by screws or the like. The base rod 23 is positioned in vertical alignment with the float rod 22 and may be in slightly spaced relationship therefrom such that the lower Surface of the float 22 and the upper flat surface of the blocking base 23 will define a very thin passageway therebetween. With this construction the float rod 22 will be in tight engagement with or spaced from the top flat surface of the blocking base 23 for a distance just sufficient to permit the non-printed portion of the tape 16 to Pass easily therethrough but of a distance insufficient to permit the passage of the printed portion of the tape 16 therethrough by the normal force applied to the tape during its take-up after a transfer has been made. Alternatively, the blocking base 23 may be in engagement with the float rod 22 with the base 23 being provided with a very shallow groove running transverse to the long axis of the base. The groove will function as a tape guideway and will be of a depth equal to the thickness of the unprinted portion of the tape 16. Thus when the printing portions 16a enters the groove, it will be stopped by its engagement with the float rod 22. With the float rod 22 being secured to the flexible arm 19, the floating rod 22 is capable of being slightly flexed vertically upwardly upon application of a stronger force than normal, as will be described more fully hereinafter, in the operation of the apparatus to enable the printed portion to pass between the float rod 22 and the blocking base 23 with either form hereinbefore described.

Ironing means generally designated by reference numeral 25 is positioned forwardly of the tape snubbing means 17 and in longitudinal alignment therewith. The

ironing means include a frame support 26 which is generally in the form of a vertically positioned A-frame having diagonal channel legs 27 and 28, each of which has a foot portion 29 and 31]. The foot portions 29 and 30 are provided with openings through which nuts and bolts 31 extend for securing the frame 26 to the worktable W forwardly from and on opposite sides of the support member 11. A transversely positioned horizontal cross plate 32 having vertical flanges 33 at each end thereof spans the distance between and connects the legs 27 and 28 of the frame 26 together. The transverse cross plate 32 is connected by means of bolts 34 extending through the flanges 33 to the sides of the legs 27 and 28, respectively, substantially midway of the vertical height of the frame 26. The upper ends of the inclined legs 27 and 28 are secured to one another in slightly spaced relationship defining an area suflicient to permit the mounting of one end of an actuating cylinder therein in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter. An air cylinder means 35, which is of generally conventional design, is mounted between the top of the frame 26, with the lower end thereof mounted on the cross plate 32. The air cylinder means 35 is provided with a vertically movable piston arm 36 which extends through a formed opening in the cross plate 33 and is movable downwardly in the direction of the worktable W. An electrically actuated iron 37 of generally conventional design is secured to the free end of the piston arm 36 by means of locking screws 38. The iron 37 is square in design and is provided with a flat surface and is electrically heated through line 39 and switch means 40. The cylinder means is provided with air lines 41 which provide the necessary air to actuate the cylinder to drive the cylinder means 35 to drive the piston 36 and the iron 37 carried thereby downwardly to the worktable. The air cylinder means 35 is normally actuated by a foot control (not shown) in a conventional arrangement. The arrangement of the cylinder means 35, the piston arm 36, and the iron 37 is such that when the piston arm 36 is in its extended position, the iron 37 will be in contact with the tape 16 which, in turn, will be in contact with the sock H placed on an operating board B carried by the worktable W to apply the transfer of the indicia 16a to the surface of the sock H.

A tape guide 42 in the form of a generally U-shaped wire frame is positioned to the top surface of the cross plate 32 by means of bolts 43. The tape guide 42 extends outwardly from the cross plate 32 and downwardly therefrom having a lower cross piece which is in actual engagement with the tape 16 such that the tape will be offset from and will not come into engagement during its vertical movement with the cross plate 32, or any of the associated members mounted thereon. A top tape guide 44 in the form of a U-shaped member is secured to the upper free end of each of the legs 27 and 28 of the frame 26, and will be outwardly olfset therefrom and in vertical alignment with the tape guide 42. Utilization of the tape guides 42 and 44 will in sure the travel of the tape means without any likelihood of same becoming tangled or into contact with any of the moving parts of the apparatus.

Tape braking means generally designated by reference numeral 46 is mounted to span the distance between the lower tape guide 42 and the top tape guide 44 in substantially transverse relationship to the path of travel of the tape 16, and defines an area through which the tape will travel. As illustrated, the tape braking means 4-6 is mounted to span the distance between the legs 27 and 28 at a point just below the upper tape guide 44. The tape braking means 46 comprises angle brackets 47 and 48 which are secured, respectively, to legs 27 and 28 by means of bolts 47 and 48' respectively, or by any other suitable means. A mounting shaft 49 is mounted in an opening provided in the flange portion of each of the brackets 47 and 48 and extends therebetween in a substantially horizontal plane and inwardly spaced from but transverse to the path of the tape 16. Bearing collars 4-9 are mounted on the shaft adjacent each end thereof and in engagement with the inside face of the brackets 47 and 4-8 to lock the shaft 4.9 against lateral movement thereof. An inner braking plate or pad 50 is secured in substantially parallel, outwardly spaced relationship to the mounting shaft 49 by means of connecting strips 51. The inner braking plate 50 is provided with a surface or braking pad separately secured such that in combination with an outer braking plate, as will be described more fully hereinafter, will engage against the surface of the tape 16 to prevent downward movement thereof. Otherwise, in a non-braking state the tape 16 will move lightly across the surface of the outer braking rod 55 during its upward or downward travel.

A cam 52 is mounted on the shaft 49 in fixed relationship therewith and serves in association with an actuating rod 53 as the means to partially rotate the shaft 49, thereby causing an upward and outward movement of the inner braking plate 50. The cam 52 is provided with a fixed roller 52 extending rearwardly therefrom, as best seen in FIG. 4, and which is positioned to intersect the general vertical path of movement of the actuating rod 53 or any elements carried thereon, as will be described more fully hereinafter. The actuating rod 53 is secured at one end by any suitable means to the iron 37 or its associated parts, and extends upwardly therefrom in spaced parallel relationship to the air cylinder means 35, and through a journal 54 mounted on the top surface of the cross plate 32. The rod 53 extends upwardly past the roller 52 of the cam 52 and through the top of the frame 26 and beyond. The rod 53 is of such length that when the iron 37 is in its lowermost point in engagement with tape 16, the upper free end of the rod 53 will extend above any operating mechanism of the apparatus for purposes to be described more fully hereinafter.

An outer braking plate or rod 55 is provided which is in parallel relationship to and slightly spaced from the inner braking plate 5t and in alignment therewith to form a slightly spaced, vertical passageway therebetween for the normal movement of the tape. The braking rod 55 is connected at one end to a rod 56, which is connected in transverse relationship to the leg 27 of the frame 26. The braking assembly 46 just described serves to halt the movement of the downward travel of the tape during the initial part of the downward movement of the iron 37.

As shown in FIG. 4, the actuating rod 53 is provided with a circular collar 53' which is so positioned on the rod 53 that upon the vertical movement of the rod, the collar 53 will come into tight frictional engagement with the roller 52 of the cam 52, thereby causing a rocking or rotation of the shaft 49 to actuate. the tape braking mechanism 46. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the collar 53 is positioned such that when the iron 37 is in the up or retracted position, the collar 53' will rest above the tape braking means 46. However, upon the vertical movement of the iron downwardly into an operating position, the collar 53 will move downwardly with the rod 53 to engage the cam roller 52 causing an actuating of the tape brake 46. It is to be noted that the collar 53' need not be in continuous engagement with the cam roller 52 during the entire downward movement of the actuating rod 53. Rather, as shown, the collar 53' will be in engagement with the cam roller 52' during only a portionof the cycle sufiicient to permit the iron to come into contact with the tape and to cause the printed portion 16a of tape 16 to pass through snubbing means 17, and the tape braking means 46 will be in a non-braking state during the final operating cycle of the iron 37. During the return of the rod 53 to the normal position, the collar 53' will, of course, come into engagement with the cam roller 52' but since the travel is upward, the cam 52 will riot be rotated such that the tape braking means 46 would be in operation.

Tape take-up means, generally designated by reference numeral 60, is mounted to the top of the frame 26 and in substantially vertical alignment with the cylinder 35, and so Constructed as to have component parts thereof in engagement with the actuating rod 53. The tape takeup means 60, as illustrated, comprises a base 61 which is secured to the top flat surface of the frame 26 by means of bolts, screws, or other fastening means. The base plate 61 is provided with a central opening through which the vertically extending actuating rod 53 will pass in transverse relationship therewith. A journal hearing or collar 62 is positioned on the base plate 60 around the central opening such that the actuating rod 53 will be maintained in vertical alignment and be freely movable therein. A pair of laterally spaced, vertically extending journal bearings 63 are secured by any suitable means to the top surface of the base plate 61 in transverse relationship thereto. A lower mounting shaft 64 is mounted in the bearings 63 in spaced parallel relationship to the base plate 61 with each free end thereof extending laterally outwardly from each of the bearings 63. Vertical mounting plates 65 and 66 are mounted at one end thereof to the free ends of the mounting shaft 64 and retained thereto by means of locking screws 67. A takeup roller 68 is mounted between the mounting plates 65 and 66 for free rotation therein by means of stub shafts 69 extending through openings adjacent the top of each of the plates 65 and 66. The take-up roller 68 is in alignment with the top tape guide 44, and is so positioned that the tape 16 will pass thereover from the tape guide 44 without contacting any portion of the apparatus. A tension rod 66 is secured at one end by means of a collar 67' adjacent the free end of the lower shaft 64, extending beyond the vertical mounting member 66, and extending forwardly therefrom in substantially transverse relationship thereto. The forward free end of the rod 66 is secured to one end of a coil spring 68' which extends downwardly therefrom and is connected at its opposite end to a screw 69 carried by leg 27 of the frame 26. This serves to maintain the shaft 64 and its associated parts in forward or clockwise tensioned state.

The take-up roller 68 is also positioned such that its surface will be in firm frictional engagement with the surface of the actuating rod 53 which passes upwardly in front thereof since the rod 53 during its upward movement functions to rotate the roll 68 in a counter-clockwise direction. To prevent rotation of the tape take-up roller 68 during the downward movement of the actuating rod 53, a wedge block 70, as shown in FIG. 5, is interposed between the actuating rod 53 and the upper portion of the tape take-up roller 68. The wedge block 70 is secured at one end to a mounting plate 71 in pivotal relationship therewith by means of a bolt 72. A spirally wound spring 73 is interposed between the mounting plate 71, the wedge block 70, and around the bolt 72 thereby tending to normally urge the wedge block 70 downwardly between the take-up roller 68 and the actuating rod 63. This arrangement insures no rotation of the take-up roller 68 during the downward movement of the actuating rod 53, yet will in no way interfere with the counterclockwise rotation of the tape take-up roller 68 imparted thereto by frictional engagement with the actuating rod 53 during its upward vertical movement.

A second vertical mounting frame 74 is secured by any suitable means, such as, for example, screw, bolt, or the like, to the mounting frame 65 and extends upwardly therefrom in alignment substantially therewith. The upper portion of the second mounting frame 74 is provided with an opening therein in which one end of a rock shaft 75 will be mounted and will be rotatable with respect thereto. The rock shaft 75 is provided with locking collars 76 and 77 on either side of the second vertical mounting frame 74, each of which is retained thereon by a locking screw 78, thereby preventing any transverse move-' ment of the rock shaft 75 with respect to the vertical frame 74. The locking collar 77 is provided with a finger shaft 79 which is secured at one end thereto by threading or the like and extends downwardly therefrom and in inclined relationship with respect to the rock shaft 75. The opposite free end of the finger shaft 79* is secured to one end of a coil spring 80, with the other end of the spring 80 being secured by means of an attaching screw 81 to the lower portion of the vertical mounting plate 74. This construction results in the rock shaft 75 being maintained under tension in a clockwise direction, which, as will be pointed out more fully hereinafter, will insure the proper feeding of used tape over the tape takeup roller 68.

The rock shaft 75 is of a length less than that of the take-up roller 68 and extends laterally in transverse relationship from the second mounting frame 74 and lies above the take-up roller 68 in spaced parallel relationship thereto. The free end of the rock shaft 75 terminates at a point above substantially the middle portion of the take-up roller 68 and is connected to a mounting bearing 82. A U-shaped caster 83 is secured to the mounting bearing 82 by means of a shaft 84 extending therethrough and held in engagement therewith by a nut 86 at the free end thereof and a lock nut on the opposite side thereof. The caster 83 extends downwardly in transverse relationship with respect to the rock shaft 75 in the direction of the roller 68, and is provided with a small roller 88 held in place therein by means of a mounting shaft 89. The roller 88 is in normal engagement with the tape take-up roller 68 and is continually urged into contact therewith by means of the spring 80 which places the rock shaft 75 under tension in a clockwise direction. The roller 88 is so positioned relative to the take-up roller 68 that it will be in contact with the tape 16 interposed or passing between it and the take-up roller 68 such that during one cycle of the operation of the apparatus the cooperation of the take-up roller 68 and the roller 88 will pull the used tape therethrough and away for discard. The tension imparted on the tape by the caster 83, however, must be insufficient to pull the printed portion 16a of the tape 16 through the snubber 17, as will be apparent from the description of the operation of the machine given hereinafter.

As illustrated, a used tape receptacle 90, which is preferably a lightweight transparent tube or cylinder, is secured at one end by any suitable means to the frame 26 in slightly downwardly inclined relationship with respect thereto. The receptacle 9t! insures the taking up of the used transfer tape 16 without fear of it becoming entangled with any of the operating elements of the apparatus. It is to be clearly understood, however, that it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention to provide other means for taking off the used tape after it has been fed upwardly by means of the tape take-up roller 68 and the roller 88. The illustrated transparent cylinder 90 is merely a form of receptacle that has been found to be of utility.

In the operation of the transfer apparatus 10 to impart a transfer design to the surface of the sock, an operating board B is positioned on the worktable W between the legs 27 and 28 of the frame 26, and is provided with an alignment marking zone which is in vertical alignment with the iron 37 and provides a zone in which the sock H is to be placed. It will be found quite helpful to also provide a small light on the frame 26 which will project a beam onto the area in which the hose H will be placed. The light will accentuate the zone in which the hose is to be positioned, thereby increasing the speed of the transferring operation.

In the operation of the transfer apparatus 10 to place indicia or other markings on the surface of a fabric, reference will be had to its utilization with socks designated by reference letter H. To place the transfer apparatus 10 into operation, the tape 16 is threaded from the tape reel through the tape snubber 17. The tape 16 is next inclined upwardly and carired around the forward edge of the iron 37 and remains in contact therewith. The tape 16 is carried up and over the lower tape guide 42 and is threaded through the inner braking pad 59 and the outer braking plate 55 of the tape braking mechanism 46, and over the top tape guide 44 and hence through the take-up roller 68 and the top roller 88.

The tape 16 should have no slack in it and must be maintained under constant tension in order to properly align each indicia 16a during its transfer to the hose H. Moreover, the spacing between the snubber 17 and the iron 37 in its lower position is quite important. In gen-- eral, the radius from the snubber 17 as the center through which the iron 37 travels is equal to the distance between at least two of the indicia 16a on the tape 16. This may be best represented by the formula R=ND, as shown in FIG. 1, in which R is the radius from the snubber 17 as the center point, N is a whole integer such as l, 2, 3, etc., and D is the distance from the uppermost edge of one area of printing or indicia 16a to the same point on the next adjacent area of indicia 16a. Thus, the snubber 17 must be so spaced with respect to the indicia spacing on the tape 16 and the travel of the iron 37 that the tape 16 accurately moves a distance equal to the spacing from one indicia 16a to another indicia 16a during each operating cycle. As hereinbefore indicated, the support plate 1 1 may be mounted to the worktable W in adjustable relationship. This will be found quite advantageous to properly adjust the support plate'horizontally so as to properly space the snubber 17 carried thereon with respect to the iron 37 to properly insure the registering of the indicia beneath the iron during the transfer operation.

The operator places a hose H in the aligned area or operating zone of the operating board B in a flat, laid out state. The operator actuates the control valve of the pneumatic cylinder 35, thereby driving the piston 36 and the iron 37 downwardly. As the iron 37 moves downwardly, the actuating rod 53 likewise moves downwardly therewith causing the collar 53' carried thereon to engage the roller 52' of the cam 52 carried by the shaft 49. This engagement results in a counter-clockwise rotational movement of the shaft 49 causing the inner braking pad 50 to move tightly against the outer braking bar 55 thereby preventing any vertical movement of the tape 16 passing therebetween in either direction beyond the iron 37 during the initial downward travel of the iron. The brake means 46 must not remain in locked or operative state during the entire downward travel of the iron 37, but rather, is locked only for a period of time sufficient to permit the printed indicia 16a to be pulled through the snubber 17, by the action of the iron 37 against the tape 16. In effect, the tape 16 is locked against movement beyond the iron 37 such that the movement of the iron 37 downwardly against the tape 16 can pull the tape 16 from only one direction initially, to wit, through the snubber 17. Moreover, by the action of the brake 16 on one side the iron 37 will exert a force sufficiently strong to pull the raised printed indicia 16a through the snubber 17. Thus during the initial operation of the cylinder 35, the tape 16 and raised indicia 16a is pulled through the snubber 17 since it is the point of least resistance when the brake means 46 is locked,

preventing the travel of the tape 16 on the opposite side length of the indicia 16a but less than the distance be- At this point, the collar tween two of the indicia 16a. 53' on the operating rod 53 clears the cam roller 52' of the cam 52 thereby resulting in the cam 52 rotating to its, normal position thus releasing the'brake means 46. The

further downward movement of the iron 37 continues to draw the tape 16 through the snubber 17 until the next succeeding raised indicia 16a reaches the snubber. At this point the forward movement of tape 16 is stopped by the snubber 17, and with the brake means 46 in a nonlocked state, the point of least resistance is the tape takeup roll 68 and the roller 88. This results in the tape 16 during the remaining travel of the iron 37 downward being backed down sufficient to permit the iron 37 to place the tape 16 against the surface of the hose H. At this point the indicia 16a of the tape 16 will be in registry with the hose H and the heated iron 37 will transfer the indicia 16a.

. When the indicia 16a transfer has been completed to the surface of the sock H, the operator releases the control valve of the pneumatic cylinder 35 causing the piston 36 and the iron 37 carried thereby to travel upwardly to its normal position. The actuating rod 53 simultaneously is carried upwardly with its upper portion thereof being in frictional engagement with the surface of the tape take-up roller 68, thereby resulting in the counter-clockwise rotation of the roller 68. Such rotation of the roller 63 in association with the roller 88 causes the tape 16 to be pulled therethrough until the tape is in a taut or tensioned state.

the snubber 17. The operation just described is repeated to transfer the next indicia 16a to the next sock, and so on. From the foregoing operation as described, it is seen that the non-printed portion of the tape 16 moves freely and easily through the snubber 17 by the force of the downward movement of the iron 37 or the counter-clockwise rotation of the take-up roller 68 when no other force is applied to hinder the movement of the tape. However, when .he indicia 16a which constitutes the raised portion of the tape 16 encounters the snubber 17, the downward travel of the iron 37 alone will not draw the raised portion into and through the snubber 17, since the point of least resistance is at the take-up roller 68. Similarly, the force exerted by the rotation of the take-up roller 68 is insufiicient to carry the raised portion of the tape 16 into and through the snubber 17. Thus, the fricLional force required to move the raised portion of the tape 16 into and through the snubber 17 is considerably greater. By locking the tape 16 against movement by the brake means 46 on the other side of lhe iron 37 during its initial downward movement, the force exerted on the tape 16 is sufficiently strong to draw the raised portion into and through the snubber 17. After this has been accomplished, the brake means 46 is released thereby eliminaling the strong force and the unprinted portion of the tape 16 is pulled forward by the lesser force existing when the brake means is in an inoperative state. As hereinbefore noted, the lesser force is insufiicient to pull the raised portion of the tape through the snubber 17. The operation with the lesser force moves the tape 16 forwardly accurately a distance equal to the spacing between an indicia 16a and the next succeeding indicia 16a.

While there have been described herein what are at present considered preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the essence of the invention. It is therefore to be understood that the exemplary embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims, and that all modifications that come Within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be included therein.

I claim:

1. Dry transfer applying apparatus comprising tape supply roll means, self-actuated tape snubbing means spaced from 'said roll means for receiving tape therethrough from the supply roll means, said snubbing means havinga vertically expandable passageway therethrough The rotation of the roller 68 is of a force insufli cient to pull the indicia 16a of the tape 16 into and through of a normal thickness less than the thickness of the printed portion of the tape, said snubbing means capable of being vertically expanded to enable the printed portion of the tape upon application of force thereto to be drawn therethrough, vertically movable heating means spaced from said snubbing means on the side opposite said supply roll means for engagement with the surface of the tape, means to actuate the vertical movement of said heating means, braking means engaging the tape after passing beyond said heating means, tape take-up means for receiving the tape after use, and means actuated by the downward vertical movement of said heating means to lock said braking means during only the initial portion of the downward movement of said heating means, but releasing said braking means before the full travel of said heating means thereby enabling one printed portion carried by said tape when in engagement with said snubber means to present another printed portion of the tape beneath the heating means when in its lowermost extended position.

2. Dry transfer applying apparatus comprising tape supply roll means, self-actuated tape snubbing means spaced from said roll means for receiving tape therethrough from the supply roll means, said snubbing means including a fixed bottom support positioned in transverse relationship to the path of the tape, a top member in vertically aligned relationship with said bottom support, a spring arm connected at one end to a fixed member with the other end connected to said top member, said bottom support and said top member defining a vertically expandable passageway therebetween of a normal thickness less than the thickness of the printed poriion of the tape, said top member capable of being vertically expanded to enable the printed portion of the tape upon application of force thereto to be drawn therebetween, verLically movable heating means spaced from said snubbing means on the side opposite said supply roll means for engagement with the surface of the tape, means to actuate the vertical movement of said heating means, braking means engaging the tape after passing beyond said heating means, and tape take-up means for receiving the tape after use, and means actuated by the movement of said heating means to act upon said braking means and said take-up means such that one prinled portion of said tape when in engagement with said snubber means will present another printed portion of the tape beneath the heating means when in its lowermost extended position.

3. Dry transfer applying apparatus comprising tape supply roll means, self-actuated tape snubbing means spaced from said roll means for receiving tape therethrough from the supply roll means, said snubbing means having a vertically expandable passageway therethrough of a normal thickness less than the thickness of the printed portion of the tape, said snubbing means capable of being vertically expanded to enable the printed portion of the tape upon application of force thereto to be drawn therethrough, vertically movable heating means spaced from said snubbing means on the side opposite said supply roll means for engagement with the surface of the tape, pneumatic means to actuate the vertical movement of said heating means, braking means positioned beyond and above said heating means and engaging the tape after passing beyond said heating means, and tape take-up means positioned above said braking means for receiving the tape after use, said tape roll means, said heating means, and said braking means being correlated with one another such that one printed portion of said tape when in engagement with said snubber means will present another printed portion of the tape beneath the heating means when in its lowermost extended position.

4. Dry transfer applying apparatus comprising tape supply roll means, self-actuated tape snubbing means spaced from said roll means for receiving tape therethrough from the supply roll means, said snubbing means including a fixed bottom support positioned in transverse relationship to the path of the tape, a top member in vertically aligned relationship with said bottom support, a spring arm connected at one end to a fixed member with the other end connected to said top member, said bottom support and said top member defining a vertically expandable passageway therebetween of a normal thickness less than the thickness of the printed portion of the tape, said top member capable of being vertically expanded to enable the printed portion of the tape upon application of force thereto to be drawn therebetween, vertically movable heating means spaced from said snubbing means on the side opposite said supply roll means for engagement with the surface of the tape, means to actuate the vertical movement of said heating means, braking means engaging the tape after passing beyond said heating means, and tape take-up means for receiving the tape after use, and means actuated by the downward movement of said heating means to lock said braking means during a portion of the downward movement of said heating means but releasing said braking means before the full travel of said heating means thereby enabling printing carried by said tape when in engagement with said snubber means such that one printed portion of said tape when in engagement with said snubber means will present another printed portion of the tape beneath the heating means when in its lowermost extended position.

5. Dry transfer applying apparatus comprising tape supply roll means, self-actuated tape snubbing means spaced from said roll means for receiving tape therethrough from the supply roll means, said snubbing means including a fixed bottom support positioned in transverse relationship to the path of the tape, a top member in vertically aligned relationship with said bottom support, a spring arm connected at one end to a fixed member with the other end connected to said top member, said bottom support and said top member defining a vertically expandable passageway therethrough of a normal thickness less than the thickness of the printed portion of the tape, said snubbing means capable of being vertically expanded to enable the printed portion of the tape upon application of force thereto to be drawn therethrough, vertically movable heating means spaced from said snubbing means on the side opposite said supply roll means for engagement with the surface of the tape, pneumatic means to actuate the vertical movement of said heating means, braking means positioned beyond and above said heating and engaging the tape after passing beyond said heating means, and tape take-up means positioned above said braking means for receiving the tape after use, said tape roll means, said heating means, and said braking means being correlated with one another such that one printed portion of said tape when in engagement with said snubber means will present another printed portion of the tape beneath the heating means when in its lowermost extended position.

6. Dry transfer applying apparatus comprising tape supply roll means, self-actuated tape snubbing means spaced from said roll means for receiving tape therethrough from the supply roll means, said snubbing means including a fixed bottom support positioned in transverse relationship to the path of the tape, a top member in vertically aligned relationship with said bottom support, a spring arm connected at one end to a fixed member with the other end connected to said top member, said bottom support and said top member defining a vertically expandable passageway therethrough of a normal thickness less than the thickness of the printed portion of the tape, said snubbing means capable of being vertically expanded to enable the printed portion of the tape upon application of force thereto to be drawn therethrough, vertically movable heating means spaced from said snubbing means on the side opposite said supply roll means for engagement with the surface of the tape, pneumatic means to actuate the vertical movement of said heating means, braking means positioned beyond and above said heat ing and engaging the tape after passing beyond said heataomges 1 ing means, and tape take-up means positioned above said braking means for receiving the tape' after use, and means actuated by the downward movement of said heating means to lock said braking means during only the initial portion of the downward movement of said heating means but releasing said braking means before the full travel of said heating means thereby enabling printing carried by said tape when in engagement with said snubber means such that one printed portion of said tape when in engagement with said snubber means will present another printed portion of the tape beneath the heating means when in its lowermost extended position.

7. Dry transfer applying apparatus comprising tape supply roll means, self-actuated tape snubbing means spaced from said roll means for receiving tape therethrough from the supply roll means, said snubbing means having a vertically expandable passageway therethrough or a normal thickness less than the thickness of the printed portion of the tape, said snubbing means capable of being vertically expanded to enable the printed portion of the tape upon application of force thereto to be drawn therethrough, vertically movable heating means spaced from said snubbing means on the side opposite said supply roll means for engagement with the surface of the tape, means to actuate the vertical movement of said heating means, braking means engaging the tape after passing beyond said heating means, tape take-up means for receiving the tape after use, and elongated rod means secured at one end to said heating means and extending upwardly therefrom in substantially longitudinal alignment therewith, said elongated rod means including means to initially actuate said braking means upon the downward travel of said rod means, said rod means being in engagement with said take-up means to actuate same during the upward travel of said rod means, whereby said rod means upon the downward movement of said heating means will lock said braking means during only the initial portion of its downward travel but releasing said braking means before the full downward travel of said rod means, thereby enabling printing carried by said tape when in engagement with said snubber means will present another printed portion of the tape beneath the heating means when in its lowermost extended position.

8. Dry transfer applying apparatus comprising tape supply roll means, self-actuated tape snubbing means spaced from said roll means for receiving tape therethrough from the supply roll means, said snubbing means including a fixed bottom support positioned in transverse relationship to the path of the tape, a top member in vertically aligned relationship with said bottom support, a spring arm connected at one end to a fixed member with the other end connected to said top member, said bottom support and said top member defining a vertically expandable passageway therebetween of a normal thickness less than the thickness of the printed portion of the tape, said top member capable of being vertically expanded to enable the printed portion of the tape upon application of force thereto to be drawn therebetween, vertically movable heating means spaced from said snubbing means on the side opposite said supply roll means for engagement with the surface of the tape, means to actuate the vertical movement of said heating means, braking means engaging the tape after passing beyond said heating means, and tape take-up means for receiving the tape after use, and elongated rod means secured at one end to said heating means and extending upwardly therefrom in substantially longitudinal alignment therewith, the opposite end of said rod means being operatively associated with said take-up means to actuate same during the upward travel of said rod means, said elongated rod means including means carried thereby to initially actuate said braking means only upon the initial downward travel of said rod means, whereby said rod means upon the downward movement of said heating 14 means will lock said braking means during a portion of its downward travel but releasing said braking means before the full downward travel of said rod means, thereby enabling printing carried by said tape when in engagement with said snubber means such that one printed portion of said tape when in engagement with said snubber means will present another printed portion of the tape beneath the heating means when in its lowermost extended position.

9. Dry transfer applying apparatus comprising tape supply roll means, self-actuated tape snubbing means spaced from said roll means for receiving tape therethrough from the supply roll means, said snubbing means including a fixed bottom support positioned in transverse relationship to the path of the tape, a top member in vertically aligned relationship with said bottom support, a spring arm connected at one end to a fixed member with the other end connected to said top member, said bottom support and said top member defining a vertically expandable passageway therethrough of a normal thickness less than the thickness of the printed portion of the tape, said snubbing means capable of being vertically expanded to enable the printed portion of the tape upon application of force thereto to be drawn therethrough, vertically movable heating means spaced from said snubbing means on the side opposite said supply roll means for engagement with the surface of the tape, pneumatic means to actuate the vertical movement of said heating means, braking means positioned beyond and above said heating and engaging the tape after passing beyond said heating means, and tape take-up means positioned above said braking means for receiving the tape after use, and elongated rod means secured at one end to said heating means and extending upwardly therefrom in substantially longitudinal alignment therewith, the opposite end of said rod means being operatively associated with said take-up means to actuate same during the upward travel of said rod means, said elongated rod means including means carried thereby to initially actuate said braking means upon the downward travel of said rod means, whereby said rod means upon the downward movement of said heating means will lock said braking means during a portion of its downward travel but releasing said braking means before the full downward travel of said rod means, thereby enabling printing carried by said tape when in engagement with said snubber means such that one printed portion of said tape when in engagement with said snubber means will present another printed portion of the tape beneath the heating means when in its lowermost extended posItion.

10, Dry transfer applying apparatus comprising tape supply roll means, self-actuated tape snubbing means spaced from said roll means for receiving tape therethrough from the supply roll means, snubbing means having a vertically expandable passageway therethrough of a normal thickness less than the thickness of the printed portion of the tape, said snubbing means capable of being vertically expanded to enable the printed portion of the tape upon application of force thereto to be drawn therethrough, vertically movable heating means spaced from said snubbing means on the side opposite said supply roll means for engagement with the surface of the tape, pneumatic means to actuate the vertical movement of said heating means, braking means positioned beyond and above said heating and engaging the tape after passing beyond said heating means, and tape take-up means positioned above said braking means for receiving the tape after use, and elongated rod means secured at one end to said heating means and extending upwardly therefrom in substantially longitudinal alignment therewith, the opposite end of said rod means being in operative association with said take-up means to actuate same during the upward travel of said rod means, said elongated rod means including means to initially actuate said braking means only upon the initial down- 15 16 Ward travel of said rod means, whereby said rod means of the tape beneath the heating means when in its lowerupon the downward movement of said heating means most extended position.

will lock said braking means during a portion of its initial downward travel but releasing said braking means References Cited In the file of thls Patent before the full downward travel of said rod means, 5 UNITED T S PATENTS thereby enabling rinting carried by said tape wh n in 1,504,545 Ch dwi k Aug, 12, 1924 engagement with said snubber means s ch that one 2,517,493 Kingsley Aug. 1,1950 printed portion of said tape when in engagement with 2,616,362 Bustamante Nov. 4, 1952 said snuhber means will present another printed portion 2,880,538 Autem Apr. 7, 1959 

1. DRY TRANSFER APPLYING APPARATUS COMPRISING TAPE SUPPLY ROOL MEANS, SELF-ACUATED TAPE SNUBBING MEANS SPACED FROM SAID ROLL MEANS FOR RECEIVING TAPE THERETHROUGH FROM THE SUPPLY ROLL MEANS, SAID SNUBBING MEANS HAVING A VERTICALLY EXPANDABLEPASSAGEWAY THERETHROUGH OF A NORMAL THICKNESS LESS THAN THE THICKNESS OF THE PRINTED PORTION OF THE TAPE, SAID SNUBBING MEANS CAPABLE OF BEING VERTICALLY EXPANDED TO ENABLE THE PRINTED PORTION OF THE TAPE UPON APPLICATION OF FORCE THERETO TO BE DRAWN THERETHROUGH, VERTICALLY MOVABLE HEATING MEANS SPACED FROM SAID SNUBBING MEANS ON THE SIDE OPPOSITE SAID SUPPLY ROLL MEANS FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE SURFACE OF THE TAPE, MEANS TO ACTUATE THE VERTICAL MOVEMENT OF SAID HEATING MEANS, BRAKING MEANS ENGAGING THE TAPE AFTER PASSING BEYOND SAID HEATING MEANS, TAPE TAKE-UP MEANS FOR RECEIVING THE TAPE AFTER USE, AND MEAND ACTUATED BY THE DOWNWARD VERTICAL MOVEMENT OF SAID HEATING MEANS TO LOCK SAID BRAKING MEANS DURING ONLY THE INITIAL PORTION OF THE DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID HEATING MEANS, BUT RELEASING SAID BRAKING MEANS BEFORE THE FULL TRAVEL OF SAID HEATING MEANS THEREBY ENABLING ONE PRINTED PORTION CARRIED BY SAID TAPE WHEN IN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SNUBBER MEANS TO PRESENT ANOTHER PRINTED PORTION OF THE TAPE BENEATH THE HEATING MEANS WHEN IN ITS LOWERMOST EXTENDED POSITION. 